South Africa
* Please see visa section
Passports
Passport valid for
at least 30 days after the intended date of departure required by all.
Note: All passengers must have a passport with at least one blank page for their entry stamp. Passengers who also require a visa must have a passport with two blank facing pages, one for the visa and one for their entry stamp (see Visa application requirements below).Visas
Required by all except the following for business and tourist purposes:
(a) 1. nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days, except nationals of Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic who may stay for up to 30 days and nationals of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia who do require a visa;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Chile, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days;
(d) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR) (Holders of Hong Kong British Nationals overseas passports and Hong Kong special passports), Jordan, Korea (Rep), Lesotho, Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Peru, Seychelles, Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey and Zambia for stays of up to 30 days;
(e) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (advance notice of overnight stay is required) except for nationals of Bangladesh, Cameroon, China (PR), Congo (Kinshasa), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russian Fed, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and Ukraine who must obtain a transit visa before traveling.
Note: Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 years must hold written consent from their parents when traveling alone.Types of visa and cost
Visitors, Transit: US$60 Study Permits: US$74 (depending on level of education). Business: US$215 Some nationals (including the UK, India and Zimbabwe) are exempt from visa fees. Other nationals must apply for a visa with the appropriate fee. All fees are subject to change without notice; please check with Embassy or Consulate to confirm costs.Validity
Dependent on length of stay requested. Permits may be extended if done so 30 days prior to expiry of original permit.Application to
Consulate (or consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Passport/Visa Information. Applicants in countries where South Africa is not represented may send their applications to the embassy in the nearest country.Application requirements
(a) Valid passport with at least two blank facing pages (passengers who do not need a visa should have a passport with at least one blank page). (b) Two passport-size photos (must be 45mm by 35mm). (c) One completed application form. (d) Fee (payable by cash, bank draft or postal order). (e) A stamped self-addressed special delivery envelope if applying by post. (f) A valid vaccination certificate, if required by the Act. (g) Proof of sufficient funds to cover visit and return tickets. (h) Statement/documentation confirming purpose of visit. (i) Onward/return tickets. (j) Yellow fever certificate if traveling to, from or through the endemic zone. Transit: (a)-(j) and (k) Sufficient documentation for admission to destination.Working days required
Four days. Up to 10 days for postal applications.Temporary residence
Temporary residence permits encompass Study, Work or Workseeker Permits. Contact the nearest Consulate (or consular section at Embassy) for further details.
Test required for all mine workers, irrespective of their position
None
South African High Commission in the UK
South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7451 7299.
Website: www.southafricahouse.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Consular section: 0845-1245.South African Consulate in the UK
15 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DD, UK
Tel: (020) 7925 8900/01/10.
Website: www.southafricahouse.com/Consulate.htm
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0845-1245 (personal applications only).Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the USA
3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 4400.
Website: www.saembassy.orgSouth African Consulate in the USA
Street address: 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Van Ness Building, Suite 220, Washington DC, 20008
Postal Address: 3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington,DC 20008, USA
(202) 274 7991.
Opening hours: 0900-1200.
Most visits to South Africa are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
There is a high level of crime, but most occurs in townships and isolated areas away from tourist destinations.
The standard of driving is variable, and there are many fatal accidents.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: (0845) 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
